Motorized Retractable Line for a Water Sports Facility

ABSTRACT

Described are systems, devices and methods for providing a motorized retractable line or ski rope for a facility in which to practice water sports such as wakeboarding, wake surfing, wake skating, waterskiing, kneeboarding and the like. A motorized retractable line may operate by manual control or preferably by automation. Operation is in response to one or more detectable events or one or more controls. When a water sport participant loses contact with a handle of the ski rope, the motorized retractable line extends by unwinding from a winch or by another mechanism. The motorized retractable line is carried in the flow of water until it reaches a designated length or a maximal length (e.g., to a downstream side of the water sports facility), or until a participant re-connects with the handle of the ski rope. A participant may re-engage in a water sport from any position in the water sports facility after losing contact with the ski rope. A participant is returned to a designated participation area. A participant may re-engage more quickly in a water sport in a water sports facility after losing contact with the ski rope than previously possible. A participant may be able to engage in an increased number of runs or water sport sessions within a block of time or rental session.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to, and claims the benefit of, theearliest available effective filing date(s) from the followingapplication(s) (the “Related Application(s)”) (e.g., claims earliestavailable priority dates for other than provisional patentapplication(s) or claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e) for provisionalpatent applications, for any and all parent, grandparent, etc.applications of the Related Application(s)).

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/214,422, preliminarily titled Water SportsFacility, naming Richard P. Davis and Chad M. Davis as inventors, filed19 Jan. 2011, which is currently co-pending, or is an application ofwhich a currently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit ofthe filing date.

The United States Patent Office (USPTO) has published a notice to theeffect that the USPTO's computer programs require that patent applicantsreference both a serial number and indicate whether an application is acontinuation or continuation-in-part. Stephen G. Kunin, Benefit ofPrior-Filed Application, USPTO Official Gazette 18 Mar. 2003. Thepresent Applicant Entity (hereinafter “Applicant”) has provided above aspecific reference to the application(s) from which priority is beingclaimed as recited by statute. Applicant understands that the statute isunambiguous in its specific reference language and does not requireeither a serial number or any characterization, such as “continuation”or “continuation-in-part,” for claiming priority to U.S. patentapplications.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Applicant understands that the USPTO'scomputer programs have certain data entry requirements, and henceApplicant is designating the present application as acontinuation-in-part of its parent applications as set forth above, butexpressly points out that such designations are not to be construed inany way as any type of commentary and/or admission as to whether or notthe present application contains any new matter in addition to thematter of its parent application(s). All subject matter of the RelatedApplications and of any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent,etc. applications of the Related Applications is incorporated herein byreference to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistentherewith.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to systems, devices and methodsfor assisting in participation in water sports in a water sportsfacility, and, in particular, the invention relates to providing amotorized retractable line to water sports participants at a range oflocations within the water sports facility.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, water sports such as wakeboarding, wake surfing, wakeskating, waterskiing, kneeboarding, and others, have become increasinglypopular forms of recreation. One form of this type of water sportinvolves towing a participant across the surface of a pool or watersports facility. Another form of this type of water sport involvesplaning on the surface of flowing or circulating water while holdingonto an anchored tether or ski rope.

Enjoyable participation in such water sports facility requires aparticipant to maintain a hold to a tow cable, tow rope, ski rope oranchor rope (herein “ski rope”). Typically, if a water sportsparticipant loses contact with the ski rope prior to the end of a run(e.g., reaching the limit of the tow cable), the session ends and theparticipant stops and is forced to return to a starting position. Theski rope or tow rope likewise must be returned to the water sportsparticipant, a starting position or both the water sports participantand starting position.

SUMMARY

A participant engages in a water sport while holding onto a ski ropewhile planing on flowing and/or circulating water in a pool or watersports facility.

A motorized retractable line or ski rope is provided to a participant inthe facility to practice water sports such as wakeboarding, wakesurfing, wake skating, waterskiing, kneeboarding, and others. Componentsof a motorized retractable line may operate by manual control orautomatically in response to one or more detectable values such as aposition of a terminal end of a ski rope in the water sports facility oran amount of extension released from a winch or spool. A speed ofretracting of a ski rope may be controlled by a water sport participant,partially by a water sport participant or may be controlledautomatically or programmatically based on one or more variables.

In practice, a motorized retractable line releases and is carried in theflow of water when a water sport participant loses contact with a handleof the ski rope. The motorized retractable line extends until it reachesa designated length or until a participant re-connects with or againcontacts a handle or other portion of the ski rope.

A participant may re-engage in a water sport from any position in thewater sports facility after losing contact with the ski rope. Aparticipant may re-engage more quickly in a water sport after losingcontact with the ski rope. A participant may be able to engage in anincreased number of runs or water sport sessions within a block of timeor rental session. A participant may be able to engage in a water sportfor an overall longer duration of time within a block of time or rentalsession as compared to participation without the motorized retractableline. Thus, a participant gains increased ride time, increased rope timeor increased handle time.

A participant returns to a designated participation area, a point ofriding or a region of riding upon activating the motorized retractableline.

This Summary has introduced a non-exclusive selection of aspects orconcepts about the present invention in a simplified form that arefurther described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is notintended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is the Summary intended to be used to limit the scope of theclaimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the subject matter are setforth in the appended claims. Throughout, like numerals refer to likeparts with the first digit of each numeral generally referring to thefigure which first illustrates the particular part. The subject matterand a preferred mode of use are best understood by reference to thefollowing Detailed Description of illustrative implementations when readin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a water sports facilityaccording to an exemplary implementation of the invention with aparticipant in a preferred participation location or region;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the water sports facility asshown in FIG. 1 with a participant in a fallen position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the water sports facility asshown in FIG. 1 with a participant in a second or stable position afterhaving fallen during a water sport session; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the water sports facility as shownin FIG. 1 with a participant in a third position in route to a preferredparticipation location or region.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are systems, devices and methods that allow a watersport participant to more quickly regain contact with a tow cable, towrope, ski rope or anchor rope (herein “ski rope”) after losing contactwith it during a water sport session. In a typical scenario, when awater sports participant loses contact with a ski rope prior to the endof a run, the session ends prematurely and the participant must returnto a starting position or at least wait for someone to return the skirope to him. Thus, a need has existed for a water sport participant tomore quickly re-establish contact with a ski rope and to return toactive participation in a desired water sport. This need is met by useof the present invention.

Sports Facility

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a water sports facility 100according to an exemplary implementation of the invention. In FIG. 1,the water is flowing so as to allow a water sports participant(wakeboarder 104) to participate in a water sport. The cross-sectionalview is of both ends of an entire pool 102 or water sports facility 100.The pool 102 or water sports facility 100 may be of any length.

A water sports facility 100 comprises a pool 102 wherein a wakeboarder104 may participate in wakeboarding. Herein, wakeboarding serves as anexemplary water sport with which to use the present invention. However,the invention may be used with other water sports. The wakeboarder 104may move laterally across the pool 102 and ride across a wake (notshown) generally within a desired or designated participation area 106.A wake may be created by a water displacement hull, wake inducing deviceor wake inducing form 108 submerged or partially submerged in the pool102. The wake may be induced by any means such as, but not limited to, awater displacement hull, model boat, portion or entirety of an actualboat, a miniature boat hull, a series of vanes, a submerged form, asubmerged vessel or one or more water flows, outlets, effluents or jets.

In FIG. 1, a water displacement hull 108 is held in place toward anupstream side 130 of the pool 102 by one or more supports 110. Thewakeboarder 104 resists the flow of the water (moving as shown by thearrows) by holding onto a participant support such as a ski rope 112which is anchored in the designated participation location 106 relativeto the water displacement hull 108 by a ski rope fixture 114. The skirope 112 is held at a desired or participant-selected angle 170 relativeto the surface of the pool 102. A participant support may be any fixtureor implementation such as a single support bar, a plurality of handles,a plurality of ropes, a series of support bars, etc., within reach of awater support participant 104. The participant support may be locatedanywhere within the water support facility and sufficiently close to thepool 102. In a preferred implementation, the ski rope 112 is held inplace to mimic or exactly match conditions associated with wakeboardingin a natural environment (e.g., wakeboarding behind a ski boat operatingon a lake).

In a preferred implementation, a pool width (not shown in FIG. 1) ispreferably about 100 feet (about 31 meters), and a pool length ispreferably about 200 feet (about 62 meters). Pool length is measuredfrom an upstream side 130 to a downstream side 132. Further, in apreferred implementation, the pool depth 142 is from about 3 feet (about1 meter) to about 5 feet (about 1.5 meters). However, other depths maybe used at the point of the user or wakeboarder 104 in the pool 102 orat other locations in the pool 102. An exemplary range of depths in thepool 102 at which to practice the present invention is from about 1 foot(about 0.3 meters) to about 6 feet (about 2 meters). The depth of thepool 102 at any given location may vary from location to location withinthe pool 102 and from time to time during operation of the water sportsfacility 100.

Water Operation

With reference to FIG. 1, during operation, water flows from theupstream side 130 toward the downstream side 132 of the pool 102 asindicated by arrows in the pool 102. When a wakeboarder 104 falls duringa wakeboarding session, the flow of water pushes the wakeboarder 104 andany equipment downstream and eventually to the downstream side 132 ofthe pool 102. This action happens in the space of a few seconds. Aporous, permeable or grate-like ramp or floor 134 prevents thewakeboarder 104 and any equipment from entering a submerged returnchannel 162. While the grate-like ramp or floor 134 is shown as aninclined plane, the grate-like ramp or floor 134 may be of any shape ororientation including in a vertical plane. Further, the grate-like rampor floor 134 may take any shape or follow any contour along the poolwidth. In a preferred implementation, the grate-like ramp or floor 134is sloped from the pool bottom 140 toward the pool deck 138.

When water is flowing in the pool 102, the grate-like ramp or floor 134is capable of directing or pushing the wakeboarder 104 and any equipmentupward and out of the pool 102 and onto the pool deck 138 despite anylateral forces from flowing water. The shape or form of the grate-likeramp or floor 134 allows the passage of the water without appreciableinterference with the flow or circulation of water.

An equipment room 150 preferably houses the source or sources of powerfor circulating the water in the pool 102 and submerged return channel162. Other geometries and arrangements are possible. In a preferredimplementation, equipment room 150 also houses controls for the variouscomponents in the water sports facility 100. Although not shown, varioussensors, controls, actuators, etc. exist to enable the operation of thewater sports facility 100 including the motorized retractable line.These sensors, controls, actuators, etc. may be located anywhere withinthe water sports facility 100 or on participants or operators within thewater sports facility 100.

With reference to FIG. 1, water circulates in the pool 102 and submergedreturn channel 162 in response to vigorously flowing, injecting orejecting water by a plurality of pump motors (not shown) through aplurality of effluents 164. Water is supplied to the circulating pumpmotors by a plurality of influents 166. In an exemplary implementation,there is one effluent 164 for each of the pump motors and one influent166 for each of the pump motors 160. Each of the plurality of effluents164 terminates at the upstream side 130 of the pool 102 and under thedecking 138 of the pool 102. While not shown, in a preferredimplementation, a cowling, scoop or contour is formed at or near theentrance of each influent 166 so as to encourage water circulating inthe submerged return channel 162 to enter each influent 166.

In a preferred implementation, the exiting ends of the effluents 164 arebelow the surface of the water and are directed in line or parallel withthe surface of the water in the pool 102. Also in a preferredimplementation, the upstream effluents 164 from pump motors are abouteight inches in diameter (20 cm); the influents are larger such as about10 inches in diameter (25 cm). Other sizes of effluents 164 andinfluents 166 may be used. The effluents 164 and influents 166 may beround, square or of a contoured or shaped design.

As explained further below, the equipment room 150 also houses a secondplurality or set of deceleration water pumps (not shown in FIG. 1) thateject, flow or inject water, air, or a combination of water and air intothe submerged return channel, the floor of the submerged return channel,the immediate floor of the pool, or at a combination of locations orsurfaces in the water sports facility 100. The deceleration water pumpseject, inject or flow water through pipes, passages or effluent channels154 that run beneath the pool 102 and submerged return channel.Injection, ejection or flow of water, air or combination of water andair from the deceleration water pumps decelerates the flow of waterpassing through the submerged return channel and thus slows the watercirculating in the water sports facility 100 at a desired or designatedtime (e.g., when a wakeboarder 104 falls and loses contact with the skirope 112).

In an exemplary implementation, 10-50 water circulation or pump motors,each of about 30 hp capacity, are installed as a first plurality of pumpmotors and flow or circulate water in the water sports facility 100 andhelp provide sufficient water flow so as to enable a participant 104 toengage in a water sport such as wakeboarding. In a preferredimplementation, at least 15 pump motors are used. In the exemplaryimplementation, 20-70 deceleration pump motors, each of about 3 hpcapacity, are installed as a second plurality of pump motors and slow,stop or circulate water in a reverse direction in the water sportsfacility 100. In a preferred implementation, at least 10 decelerationpump motors 152 are used. Other numbers, other capacities and otherconfigurations of pump motors may be used.

The sports facility 100 preferably comprises one or more pool heating,filtration and treating units (not shown in FIG. 1). In a preferredimplementation, the one or more pool heating, filtration and treatingunits are located and operated in the equipment room 150. The one ormore pool heating, filtration and treating units necessitate one or moreheating and treating influents and one or more heating and treatingeffluents. These influents and effluents may be synonymous with,separate from or connect with the intake and outlet pipes or fixturesdescribed in connection with causing the flow of water in the watersports facility 100.

With reference to FIG. 1, during a water sport session (e.g.,wakeboarding, wake surfing, wake skating), water flows from left toright in the open air channel or pool 102, from right to left in thesubmerged return channel 162, and generally clockwise in the watersports facility 100. A plurality of jets or effluents 164 from theequipment room 150 thrust water at the upstream side 130 of the pool102. The effluents 164 may be located at any desired vertical position165 at or near the upstream side 130 of the pool. Each of the effluents164 may be placed and oriented separately and at a desired locationvertically and horizontally at any point across the pool width. In apreferred implementation, the effluents 164 are about evenly spacedacross the pool width.

When water flows from the effluents 164, water flows under and aroundthe water displacement hull 108. Water flowing from the plurality ofeffluents 164 accelerates or circulates the water flowing in the pool102. When water reaches the downstream side 132 of the pool 102, thewater flow does not terminate or re-circulate by way of pipes. Instead,the water flows back toward the upstream side of the pool 102 by way ofa return channel 162. The extreme downstream side 132 of the pool 102 ispreferably curvilinear so encourage a smooth flow of water into thereturn channel 162. Other geometries and arrangements for connecting thepool 102 and return channel 162 are possible. For example, the pool 102may have a squared end that drops directly downward to a return channel162. In another example, water may circulate in an open channel back tothe upstream side of the pool 102.

In a preferred implementation, the return channel 162 is a submergedreturn channel and is formed, created or located below the pool 102.Thus, in such an implementation, as the one shown in FIG. 1, water flowsdownward around and below the floor 140 of the pool 102. The water flowreverses direction relative to the pool or open channel 102 by flowingthrough the submerged return channel 162.

In a preferred implementation, the depth 142 of the water as measuredtoward the upstream side 130 of the pool and the depth of the water asmeasured toward the downstream side 132 of the pool are below the deck138 at both ends of the pool 102. During operation of the water sportsfacility, this configuration and level of water accommodates variations,ripples, waves or turbulence at the surface of the pool 102. The deck138 is cantilevered over the upstream side 130 and downstream side 132of the pool 102. Further, in a preferred implementation, the depth orheight 144 of the submerged return channel 162 is matched to the pooldepth 140 along the pool length and to the flow of water in the variousportions of the water sports facility 100.

Operation of Motorized Retractable Line

With reference to FIG. 1, in a preferred implementation, the ski ropefixture 114 is attached to a vertical riser 116. The ski rope fixture114 is moveably or rotatably fixed at a selected height and locationrelative to the pool 102 or water displacement hull 108. The verticalriser 116 is actuated by a mechanical lift 120. The mechanical lift 120provides a mechanism to extend or retract the vertical riser 116 suchthat the ski rope fixture 114 may be raised or lowered relative to thepool deck 138 and surface of the pool 102. The location and orientationsof the ski rope fixture 114 are each adjustable so as to accommodatevarious operations and pool conditions, participant size and desiredposition for the ski rope 112. In a preferred implementation, the skirope 112 is about 40 feet (about 12 meters) in length when a participant104 is participating within a desired or designated participation area106.

In a preferred implementation, the ski rope 112 may be lengthened orshortened by operation of a ski rope winch 118, as explained furtherbelow, to assist a participant to return to a point of riding or regionof riding upon activating the motorized retractable line.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the water sports facility witha fallen participant 202. After falling, the fallen participant 202 iscarried toward the downstream side 132 of the pool 102. Upon detectionof a fallen participant 202, several components of the water sportsfacility 100 are engaged to slow the flow of circulating water and toperform other functions. One of these functions is to re-unite thefallen participant 202 with the distal or working end of the ski rope112. The distal end is the end of the ski rope 112 having a handle 206and, optionally, controls for the water sports facility 100. Upondetection of a fallen participant 202, the ski rope winch 118 engages tounwind an extension 204 to the ski rope 112. The extension 204 may be acable, rod or further length of ski rope. The handle 206 and ski rope112 are pulled or acted upon by the water flowing in the pool 102.Operation of the ski rope winch 118 allows the ski rope 112 and handle206 to follow and eventually reach the fallen participant 202. The skirope winch 118 releases the extension 204 until the fallen participant202 or facility operator actuates a control to stop the operation of theski rope winch 118, or until the handle 206 of the ski rope 112 reachesthe downstream side 132 of the pool 102—a maximum extension.

At a same or different time as the ski rope winch 118 is operating, thevertical riser 116 is extending upward. Alternatively, or in addition toextension of the vertical riser 116, the ski rope fixture 114 isextending or moving, as needed or desired. A ski rope extension portion314 shows the extension of the ski rope fixture 114 in FIG. 3. Thus,FIG. 3 shows one implementation of an extendable ski rope fixture 114that extends to an extension distance 308. Extension of the ski ropefixture 114 may provide increased stability to the ski rope 112 andplaces the ski rope 112 and/or ski rope extension 204 in a properorientation or desired position or in a desired orientation and desiredposition. In one implementation, the extension of the ski rope fixture114 assists to re-establish or maintain a desired orparticipant-selected angle 170 even when the ski rope 112 is carriedfrom a desired operating position 106 to a second position.

Eventually, a fallen participant 202 regains his composure and reaches astable position in the pool 102 after falling. FIG. 3 is across-sectional side view of the water sports facility shown in FIG. 1.With reference to FIG. 3, from this second or stable position 306, thewakeboarder 302 may re-engage in wakeboarding. In a preferredimplementation, and as described more fully below, by gaining access tothe handle 206, the wakeboarder 302 then has access to one or morecontrols that enable the wakeboarder 302 to control the water sportsfacility (e.g., re-start flow of water from upstream effluents 164).

With reference to FIG. 3, while the wakeboarder 302 is shown at anextreme downstream location near the grate-like ramp or floor 134, asecond or stable position 306 may be anywhere outside of a desired ordesignated participation area 106. In operation, a height 304 of avertical riser 116 and extended length 306 of a ski rope fixture 114 areselected or programmatically reached based on a horizontal distance 310to the second or stable position 306 of the participant 302 or by one ormore other variables. For example, the height 304, the extended length306 (if any), or height 304 and extended length 306 may be determined orprogrammatically reached by correlation to an amount of extension 204necessary for the ski rope 112 to reach the participant 302. Generally,the more extension 204 needed, the greater height 304 is provided to thevertical riser 116. The extended length 306 may be shorter or longerthan when a participant 302 is wakeboarding in a designatedparticipation area 106. The height 304 of the vertical riser 116 and theextended length 306 of the ski rope fixture 114 are selected so as tomaintain a consistent ski rope angle 170 for the participant 302 at allplaces in the pool 102 or facility 300.

Although not visible in FIG. 3, a second or stable position in the pool102 may be somewhat lateral to a center axis or central position in thepool 102 as viewed from overhead. A somewhat lateral second or stableposition may increase an amount of extension 204 necessary for the skirope 112 to reach the participant 302. In any event, once activated, themotorized retractable line returns a participant back to centralposition or region behind the water displacement hull 108 and in adesignated participation area 106.

The designated participation area 106 is the most desired region forengaging in or participating in a water sport for several reasons. Oneof those reasons is safety. Upon falling, a water sport participant hasa relatively large amount of open water surrounding him in which toregain his composure. Further, there is ample room downstream from thedesignated participation area 106 in which to regain his composure.Participation in other areas of the pool 102 including positions closeto a lateral side of the pool presents a risk of impacting the lateralside of the pool 102.

Another reason is that the designated participation area 106 is theregion in the pool where the wake is available and has desirablecharacteristics for participating in wakeboarding or other water sport.

By allowing the handle 206 to follow the wakeboarder 302 to a second orstable position 306, the wakeboarder 302 is able to re-engage inwakeboarding in the water sports facility 101 sooner than taking time totravel back to a first or preferred designated participation area 106proximal to the upstream side 130 of the pool 102. There are severaladvantages to re-starting participation in a water sport from the secondor stable position 306. One of these advantages is an increased numberof runs or sessions or an increased percentage of time spentparticipating in wakeboarding. This increase is in comparison to ascenario in which a wakeboarder 302 is required to return a desired ordesignated participation area 106 each time the wakeboarder 302 fallsand needs to re-start a run or session. In such scenario, no motorizedretractable line is available—only a fixed ski rope 112 is available.Thus, for example, by using the invention, a wakeboarder 302 may be ableto engage in 14 passes across a wake in a 10 minute session in the watersports facility 100 instead of 9 passes across a wake if the wakeboarder302 were required to return to a fixed length ski rope and to thedesired or designated participation area 106.

Control of Motorized Retractable Line

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the water sports facility as shownin FIG. 1 with a water sport participant 402 in a third position andshortly after re-engaging in a water sport. One object of re-startingfrom any position in the pool 102 is to relocate to a preferred ordesignated participation location or region 106. Another object is tospend relatively more time participating in a water sport in a givenunit of time.

With reference to FIG. 4, a participating wakeboarder 402 travels fromright to left from a downstream side 132 toward an upstream side 130 ofthe pool 102 as shown by an arrow. Simultaneously, and as shown by anarrow, a ski rope extension 204 is shortening by being pulled by therotation or operation of a winch 118 or by another mechanism. While thewinch 118 is shown at the base of the vertical riser 116, a winch 118 orextension control mechanism may be located in any region of the facility100 including within an equipment room 150 (shown in FIG. 1). A singlewinch 118 is shown in FIG. 4, but a plurality of components may beemployed to produce the same or similar functionality as retracting aline, cable, ski line 112 or line extension 204.

Also simultaneously, the vertical riser 116 is lowered as shown by anarrow in FIG. 4. Further, and also simultaneously, the ski ropeextension 114, ski rope extension portion 314, or the ski rope extension114 and ski rope extension portion 314 may be shortened or extended asneeded or desired. Various components such as those described operate tomaintain a constant desired or participant-selected angle 170 as thewakeboarder 402 travels toward and to the desired or designatedparticipation area 106. Various components operate at one or moreconstant or variable speeds so as to provide a smooth travel or movementfor the wakeboarder 402 to reach the desired or designated participationarea 106. While various components are described as operatingsimultaneously, it is understood that one or more components may operateintermittently relative to one another so as to provide a same orequivalent functionality.

In a preferred implementation, a participating wakeboarder 402 hasaccess to controls or control actuators to operate the water sportsfacility 100. These controls are preferably located in or near thehandle 206 attached to the ski rope 112. These controls may providecontrol for one or more of the following: flow of water exitingeffluents 164, speed of water circulating in the pool 102. flow of waterexiting slowing effluents 156, position (and/or orientation) of thewater displacement hull 108 (for generating wake), aeration of water ineffluents 156, 164, desired or participant-selected angle 170, speed ofretraction line 204 and ski rope 112, speed of operation of extension314 and ski rope fixture 114, and speed of operation of vertical riser116. For example, a participant may be able to choose between a slowretraction speed and a fast or participatory retraction speed whenengaging a control to retract the retractable ski line.

In a preferred implementation of the controls, a minimal number ofcontrols is provided to the wakeboarder 402 so as to simplifyparticipation in the water sport. The controls provided are sufficientfor the wakeboarder 402 to operate the facility 100 and participate in adesired water sport without requiring the participation or involvementby others. Further, one or more operations or controls provided to thewakeboarder 402 may be automated or linked with operation of othercontrols.

For example, a wakeboarder 402 may engage a control to retract the skirope 112 that, in turn, engages a winch 118 to engage or control theretraction line 204, but which also engages a control to lower thevertical riser 116 so as to automatically maintain constant the desiredor participant-selected angle 170. In a preferred implementation, thecontrol to retract the ski rope 112 is a trigger to engage a processthat returns a wakeboarder 402 to the designated participation area 106;the wakeboarder 402 does not have control to stop retraction at anintermediate position between a second or stable position 306.

In another example, the wakeboarder 402 may engage a control to retractthe ski rope 112 that, in turn, engages some or all of water circulationmotors and thus increases or starts flow of water from one or moreeffluents 164.

In another example, the wakeboarder 402 may engage a control to retractthe ski rope 112 that, in turn, engages a timer and audible countdown soas to give the wakeboarder 402 a signal for when the ski rope 112 mayengage in retracting and returning the wakeboarder to the designatedparticipation area 106. As another variation of this example, water maybegin flowing from the effluents 164 for a predetermined time prior tobeginning retraction of the ski rope 112. As another variation of thisexample, the system or facility may wait until one or more water flow orother conditions are met prior to beginning retraction of the ski rope112. One of these water flow conditions may be sensing whether thecirculating water is traveling at a requisite or predetermined velocityprior to beginning retraction of the ski rope 112. In yet anotherexample, the system or facility may determine a future time at whichwater may be flowing at a sufficient speed to allow for planing of aparticipant at a midpoint in the pool or some other location in thepool, or at a participant-designated speed at a certain point in thepool (e.g., designated participation area 106); the system then engagesretraction of the motorized retractable line at the future time. Theseand other examples show that a simple operation and a minimal set ofcontrols may be provided, or a complex set of programmed behavior andcombination of controls may be provided in conjunction with use of anextendable ski rope in the water sports facility.

In an exemplary scenario of operation of the sports facility 100, awakeboarder 104 is unable to land a trick, falls into the pool 102 andloses contact with the handle 206 of the ski rope 112. A sensor in thehandle 206 determines that the wakeboarder 202 has fallen from or lostcontact with the ski rope 112. At this point, water flow from one ormore circulating effluents 164 ceases, water is pumped throughdeceleration effluents 156, and the winch 118 is programmaticallyengaged to release or unwind an extension 204 to the ski rope 112. Waterflowing in the pool 102 carries the handle 206 and ski rope 112 towardthe fallen wakeboarder 202. Thus, with a minimal amount of time, awakeboarder may regain contact with the handle 206 and ski rope 112.When the wakeboarder 302 regains a grasp of the handle 206, water flowthrough deceleration effluents 156 ceases and water flow is returned tocirculating effluents 164. By engaging another control at or in thehandle 206, a wakeboarder 402 triggers shortening of the ski ropeextension 204 and ski rope 112 and thus returns to active participationin wakeboarding with minimal delay. A combination of automated andmanual controls enables nearly continuous participation in a water sportin the water sports facility—something not previously possible.

Variations

While the invention is described with respect to exemplary and preferredimplementations, other implementations are possible. The conceptsdisclosed herein apply equally to other systems, devices and methods forproviding a motorized retractable line for participation in power-basedwater sports in a facility. Furthermore, the concepts applied hereinapply generally to all water sports facilities. While wakeboarding, wakesurfing, wake skating or other particular sport may be referenced as anexemplary water sport for practicing the invention, the concepts,systems, facilities, devices and methods described herein apply to allwater sports. The invention is described with reference to theaccompanying figures where it is noted that characteristics and featuresshown in the figures are not drawn to scale unless otherwise notedherein.

While a pool 102 and a submerged return channel 162 have been describedas separate elements, features or structures above, it is to beunderstood that the pool 102, submerged return channel 162, andconnecting passages at the upstream and downstream ends of the pool arepart of an overall pool or water-retaining void. The elements, featuresor structures described herein could just as easily be made in referenceto a single pool or void divided into a top open air channel and areturn channel by the floor or flooring 140. Thus, reference to pool 102herein is for sake of convenience and is not meant to be limiting. In anexemplary embodiment as described above, the water sports facility 100would be generally equivalent to constructing a 100 foot by 200 footpool having a depth of about 8 feet (about 31 meters by 62 meters by 2.5meters).

Reference is made to effluents, injecting, ejecting and circulation ofwater and the like. However, other terms may be substituted. Further,other mechanisms for enabling the acceleration and flow of the water inthe pool 102 are possible besides the water pumps described herein. Forexample, impellers, propellers or other mechanical means may be used.The water sports facility may be either an open or closed system interms of water and water flow. Further, reference is made to flow ofwater. It is understood that, where appropriate, water flow may alsorefer to water flow with air or some amount of entrained or accompanyingaeration.

It will be understood that terms used herein, including in the claims,are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including”should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term“having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes”should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to”). It will befurther understood by those within the art that if a specific number ofan introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will beexplicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitationno such intent is present.

For example, as an aid to understanding, the following claims maycontain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one ormore” to introduce claim recitations. The use of such phrases should notbe construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by theindefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containingsuch introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”). The same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations).

Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “atleast one of A, B, and C,” is used, in general such a construction isintended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand theconvention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” wouldinclude but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, Calone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A,B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general sucha construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that any disjunctive word and/orphrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood toinclude the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” Moreover, “can”and “optionally” and other permissive terms are used herein fordescribing optional features of various embodiments. These termslikewise describe selectable or configurable features generally, unlessthe context dictates otherwise.

The described aspects of the invention depict different componentscontained within, or connected with, different other components. It isto be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary,and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented whichachieve the same functionality. Further, it is to be understood that oneof ordinary skill in the art as to the invention described herein issomeone familiar with constructing commercial swimming pools.

The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustrationand description. Various features from one implementation can becombined with other features from other implementations. The descriptionis not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosedherein. Consequently, variation and modification commensurate with theabove teachings, within the skill and knowledge of the relevant art, arewithin the scope of the present invention. The implementations describedherein and above are also intended to explain the best mode presentlyknown of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in theart to use the invention, or in other implementations, and with thevarious modifications required by their particular application or usesof the invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construedto include alternate implementations to the extent permitted. Thus, theappended claims are to encompass within their scope all variations andmodifications as are within the spirit and scope of this subject matterdescribed herein.

1. A water sports facility comprising: an open channel comprising anopen channel length, a open channel width, an upstream side, and adownstream side, wherein the open channel is configured to allow waterto flow along the open channel length from the upstream side toward thedownstream side; one or more effluents capable of ejecting water intothe upstream side of the open channel; one or more water influents thatprovide water to the one or more effluents; and a retractable ski ropecapable of reaching the downstream side of the open channel.
 2. Thewater sports facility of claim 1 wherein the water sports facilityfurther comprises a mounted ski rope fixture.
 3. The water sportsfacility of claim 2 wherein the mounted ski rope fixture is extendable.4. The water sports facility of claim 1, wherein the water sportsfacility further comprises a motorized winch for retracting theretractable ski rope.
 5. The water sports facility of claim 4, whereinthe retractable ski rope comprises a winch control for controlling,directly or indirectly, operation of the motorized winch.
 6. The watersports facility of claim 5, wherein the winch control is accessible by aparticipant, and wherein the winch control retracts the retractable skirope to a designated participation area and to no other area whenengaged.
 7. The water sports facility of claim 4, wherein the motorizedwinch operates at a sufficient speed to allow a participant to plane onwater in the open channel.
 8. The water sports facility of claim 1,wherein the water sports facility further comprises a vertical riser,wherein the vertical riser is configured to raise and lower a point oforigin of the retractable ski rope above a plane of the open channel. 9.The water sports facility of claim 8 wherein the vertical riser isconfigured to programmatically maintain the retractable ski rope at adesired angle relative to a plane of the open channel throughout aplurality of locations in the open channel.
 10. A method for providing aretractable ski rope to a water sport environment, the methodcomprising: flowing water into the water sport environment at a ratemeasured in volume per time; providing a retractable ski rope at a firstposition within the water sport environment; detecting an indication ofa condition in the water sport environment; extending the retractableski rope to a second position within the water sport environment; andretracting the retractable ski rope to the first position within thewater sport environment.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein retractingthe retractable ski rope to the first position further comprises:maintaining the retractable ski rope at a desired angle relative to aplane in the water sport environment as the retractable ski rope isretracted.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein a speed of the retractingthe retractable ski rope is controlled programmatically once retractionof the retractable ski rope begins.
 13. The method of claim 10, whereinthe detecting an indication of a condition in the water sportenvironment further comprises: detecting a disengagement of aparticipant from a handle of the retractable ski rope.
 14. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the method further comprises: performing a change inoperation of the water sport environment after detecting the indicationof a condition in the water sport environment and while extending theretractable ski rope to the second position within the water sportenvironment.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the performing a changein operation of the water sport environment comprises: ejecting wateragainst a circulation of water in the water sport environment uponreceiving an indication of non-participation by a water sportparticipant.
 16. A method for providing a retractable ski rope to awater sport participant in a water sports facility, the methodcomprising: ejecting water from a plurality of effluents at an upstreamside of an open channel in the water sports facility for use by thewater sport participant; providing the retractable ski rope to the watersport participant; and extending the retractable ski rope upon detectionof a condition in the water sports facility.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein the method further comprises: ceasing the extending theretractable ski rope upon detection of a contact with the ski rope bythe water sport participant.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein themethod further comprises: providing a control to initiate retraction ofthe retractable ski rope to the water sport participant.
 19. The methodof claim 16, wherein the method further comprises: retracting theretractable ski rope beginning a fixed time after the water sportparticipant regains contact with the retractable ski rope.
 20. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises: automaticallycontrolling at a relatively constant value a participant-selected angleof the retractable ski rope irrespective of an amount of extending theretractable ski rope, wherein the participant-selected angle of theretractable ski rope is measured relative to a plane defined by water inthe open channel.